Standing ovations from almost all MPs and a large bouquet of flowers from their own parliamentary group leader, Andreas Schwarz: Petra Olschowski (Greens) is now the country's new science minister. After her election, she was sworn in on Wednesday in the state parliament in Stuttgart. Olschowski spoke her oath without the formal "so help me God".

The previous incumbent Theresia Bauer (Greens) wants to become mayor in her hometown of Heidelberg. Olschowski was State Secretary in Bauer's ministry for six years. Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) paid tribute to Bauer's services on Wednesday. The minister shaped the office like few before her, he said.